Congraduations

Alright kids, who's ready to celebrate mediocrity?

The Houghs are.

Behold - Alayna's Kindergarten Award Ceremony:

Showing Abby some pictures on her phone in order to keep her from going stir-crazy.  Abby had been running a fever throughout the previous twenty-four hours, and as a result I was taking the day off to stay home with her.  Considering I had Monday off (for Memorial Day), and had been forced to come home at lunch on Tuesday, I was looking at a 2 1/2 day work week.  BOOYA.

Alayna's class files into the school's cafetorium.  This thing was horribly planned out from the get-go.  People were kicked out of tables designated for kindergarteners multiple times, and there was barely standing room for the hundred-plus parents on hand. 

Alayna received recognition for graduating kindergarten, her projects, a few other things, and for being 'compassionate' (which sounds lame - I was hoping she'd get something for being able to read and do math above her grade level, but whatever.)

Ms. Billiterri's class, confused on the stage.

It didn't help that the A/C was out.  Can't even begin to describe how awesome that was.

BAM

(Kris had to take Abby out in the hallway for a bit in order to release some of the pent-up, pre-K nastiness and avoid a full-on tantrum.)

Being scolded by a kindergartener from across the room.  Always cool.

Shortly before the kids broke into this song, a mob of parents stood up and walked in front of all the other parents in attendance.  The school administrators got on the mic and told everyone to sit down, but then, in a moment of confusion, someone pressed play on the hobbit-sized CD player that provided the music for the song and the kid started singing.  Of course, over the din of parents pushing and shoving and administrators barking at parents, you couldn't hear the music.  Or the kids.  God I hate Florida sometimes.

Of course Alayna had to stand directly under the harsh, bright stage light.  As if she wasn't white enough already.

Alayna and her teacher, Ms. Billitteri.

I really, really wish I had told her to take her various certificates and awards OUT of the folder for these pictures.  I guess you'll have to imagine what they look like instead (spoiler: they're not impressive.)

- Brian